The second phase of the easing of coronavirus restrictions, scheduled to start on Monday (8th June), will herald a phased return to workplaces for some staff who can “constantly” maintain two metres of social distancing.

A return to normal workplace industrial relations where major issues are decided by agreement between managers and workers’ representatives must be a feature of the reopening of the economy.

Four out of five Fórsa members say they have felt anxious or nervous as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, according to a new survey. 

Employers who want to maintain structured remote working as coronavirus restrictions on travel and assembly ease will need to put staff safeguards in place and reach agreement with worker representatives, Fórsa has said.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) has agreed that arrangements to ensure workplace protection from the spread of Covid-19 must have the confidence of staff.

The Government has said it’s taking steps to address the loophole in the temporary wage subsidy scheme (TWSS), which disqualified some women returning from maternity leave.